Halfmoon Bay, British Columbia is a vacation paradise just two hours from downtown Vancouver. A perfect for spot for people who love nature and the great outdoors, it’s hugely popular with day-trippers and summer vacationers who find their ideal summer vacation rental by searching on FlipKey.

About Halfmoon Bay

Halfmoon Bay is a small community of 2,800 mostly part-time residents located on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. Separated from mainland Canada by the Strait of Georgia and the Coast Mountains, the locals possess an island-like mentality despite being only two hours from Vancouver.

Popular with hikers, mountain bikers, kayakers and fisherman, Halfmoon Bay is the kind of place where lifetime family memories are made. To get to Halfmoon Bay, take the 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver across Howe Sound to Langdale on the Sechelt Peninsula. Drive north on highway 101 for 25 kilometers before arriving at the town of Halfmoon Bay.

The area around Halfmoon Bay was originally inhabited by inhabited by the Shishalh tribe who chose to settle there for the mild climate, fresh water and an abundance of food.

Today, it’s a great place to spend a weekend or the entire summer enjoying nature at its best.

What to do

With many places only accessible by sea, rent a kayak and explore the many hidden coves and inlets with only the company of bald eagles to share the day with.

If you like fishing, head 4-kilometers north to Secret Cove, another popular Sunshine Coast retreat that just happens to have the best charter boat operators in the area.

For mountain bike enthusiasts hit the scenic Suncoast Trail that runs for 33-kilometers from Homesite Creek all the way to Klein Lake. Remember to stop by the waterfall where a 63-meter long bridge straddles the Sakinaw Creek.

Witness one of the great white-water wonders of the world at the Skookumchuck Narrows. Twice a day, the change in tide forces 200 billion gallons of water through this narrow passage.

After a long day of adventure, go for a brew with a view at one of the areas friendly pubs where you can sample an artisan beer from a local brewer.

Top Halfmoon Bay travel tips

Drier than nearly any other part of British Columbia, the Sunshine Coast gets busy in the summer as second homeowners and tourists arrive from Vancouver.

If you want to experience the natural beauty of the area without the crowds, visit during the spring and fall to capture the sight and sounds of migrating birds.

If you’re renting a cabin on Halfmoon Bay and didn’t bring supplies with you, drive to Sechelt where you will find a couple of full-size supermarkets, liquor stores and ATMs.

For a glimpse into the region's past and to learn the meaning of totems, be sure to visit the museum in Gibbons.

Visiting Halfmoon Bay and the Sunshine Coast is like stepping back in time to a place that hasn’t quite caught up with the modern world.

If you love unbridled nature and spectacular scenery, a Halfmoon Bay rental property from FlipKey might just provide you with the best vacation you have ever had.